Seeking help is not a taboo. But in the muslim community, those who deal with depression or other mental illnesses are rarely encouraged to seek help.
There is a certain stigma surrounding the mental health of muslims everywhere. The topic is often thought of as taboo, and, though attention on mental health has gained greater traction over the years, for muslims, the situation remains a touchy subject—one where you’ll often be told you aren’t praying hard enough, or that certain matters are meant to be private, or you are at a point of low iman (DeShaw et al., 2006).
Stigma, according to Jones and colleagues, as cited in The Circl, is compromised of six factors: “concealability, course, disruptiveness, aesthetic qualities, origin, and peril.”
One truth we can’t deny is that stigma surrounding mental health is harsher for those of colour and those of ethnic groups. The intersectionality that many individuals have in their identity increases the affect of traumatic experiences — “double stigma” (Ciftci, 2012).
Muslims also face a realm of challenges, especially prevalent when they are immigrants, including discrimination, prejudice, and profiling.
For muslims, it is often seen that mental health can be a blessing from God (a way of cleansing the soul), or a trial, or a punishment. Women especially in the muslim community have more of a chance of developing mental disorders and being further stigmatized (Douki et al.).
Some people believe that only God can solve their illness, including the mental illnesses so many people experience.
When we look at seeking help, it isn’t easy when we consider the stigma surrounding it, but understanding that there are sensitive approaches to mental health in a community, is important. The MultiPhase model of psychotherapy, social justice and human rights holds justice, human rights, and multiculturalism at its core in order to help those in need with accuracy and perception and understanding.
As someone with a muslim therapist, I have often discussed with them what it is to have to try and explain our mental health and our actions and behaviours to our parents—i.e. why we don’t want to live in the same house as them, or whatever it may be. But as the word stigma suggests, oftentimes muslims are disqualified from the social acceptance as having mental illness be a reason for low iman and so forth.
In my experience, I’ve had both ends of the spectrum. I’ve had my father take me to my therapy appointments and encourage me in continuing them, and I’ve had my mother tell me that I shouldn’t be crying for no reason and that I need to pray more.
Depression for me has been an uphill battle. And being muslim often makes the struggle feel like an extra weight on me. At times, I’ve questioned whether or not anti-depressants were okay, whether or not I am praying hard enough, maybe it is just God testing me and I’m not strong enough.
Though I do have a positive attitude toward utilizing mental health resources, and I advocate for therapy for everyone, whether they believe it or not, the stigma surrounding mental health does not disappear. Sharing mental health struggles, discussing personal matters with someone outside of your bloodline, is frowned upon in many cultures (Deshaw et al. 2006).
What I’ve learned is that your faith, your culture, and your family should not deter you from getting the help you need—this includes therapy, medication, and consultation.
At points my motivation has been so low that getting up to pray is made a difficult task, and for that to happen and for me to watch it happen, hurts. And the spiral of guilt that comes after, the concern about not praying and maybe making my mental health worse, sucks. Which is why we must emphasize that getting help is okay.
As a muslim, my faith is my life. And my mental health is a part of that. We must take care of ourselves, and thus, take care of our mental health in order to further participate in religious activities, and to go about our daily lives.
Mental health issues are caused by a variety of factors including environment and chemical imbalances. It is unfair to tell yourself that your faith is not strong. This can further demotivate you.
There are ways to connect your faith and healing, if you so desire.
For me, having a muslim therapist, and one of the same ethnic background, has provided me with comfort and a safe place to speak my mind without feeling any pressures.
There are muslim therapists with more of an understanding of the religion, and you can work with a scholar and therapist in order to provide attention to both the spiritual need and the health need.
What needs to be understood is that, mental health is not a taboo. And it is okay to seek help, regardless of who you are and your religion.
As muslims, we are not immune to mental illnesses. There is often difficulties we face, and like we would see a doctor for a physical condition, we should feel empowered to seek help for issues that are not visible—those that plague our minds.
Don’t be afraid to seek the help you need.
Places to go:
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